Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is amputation? — This is surgery to remove a damaged body part. How long it takes for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on what was amputated.
How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Prop the area where you had surgery on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.
●Take all of your medicines as instructed:
•Use a stool softener to help prevent constipation, if needed. This is a common problem if you take opioid pain medicines. Follow all instructions for taking your pain medicines.
•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). These can be used instead of opioids.
●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision.
•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.
•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incision. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.
●Increase your activity slowly:
•Follow instructions about using a sling, crutches, or a walker to help move around.
•Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until you have healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.
●Stop smoking, if you smoke. Smoking lowers blood flow and can slow healing.
●Learn about your prosthetic device, if you got one. (A prosthetic is an artificial body part.)
●Work with a physical therapist (exercise expert) as you heal, if you were told to. They will suggest exercises and stretches to prevent "contractures." These are tightening of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or skin that prevent movement. The exercises will also help you move and get around safely. The exercises might also make it easier to wear and use a prosthetic.
What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.
If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.
Some people struggle with sadness or depression after amputation. Your doctor might suggest talking with a counselor to help you cope.
When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●You fall and cannot get up.
●You feel short of breath or have trouble breathing.
●You have sharp or severe chest pain when you breathe.
●You are coughing up blood.
●You have symptoms of a heart attack, which can include:
•Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:
-Breathing trouble, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin
-Pain in your arms, back, or jaw
-Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs
•Fast or irregular heartbeat
•Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You have redness or swelling around your incisions.
●You have a large amount of blood coming from your incision.
●You have new numbness or tingling around the incision.
●Your skin around the incision is pale or darker in color.
●You cannot control your pain with pain medicines.
●You feel depressed or are struggling to cope.
Patient education: Amputation (The Basics)
Patient education: Amputation, below-the-knee (The Basics)
Patient education: Amputation of the foot or toe (The Basics)
Patient education: Frostbite (The Basics)
Patient education: Gangrene (The Basics)
Patient education: Peripheral artery disease and claudication (The Basics)
Patient education: Peripheral artery disease and claudication (Beyond the Basics)
آیا می خواهید مدیلیب را به صفحه اصلی خود اضافه کنید؟